U.S. patent number 8,038,521 [Application Number 11/444,285] was granted by the patent office on 2011-10-18 for card shuffling apparatus with automatic card size calibration during shuffling.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc.. Invention is credited to Feraidoon Bourbour, Attila Grauzer, James B. Stasson.
United States Patent |
8,038,521 |
Grauzer , et al. |
October 18, 2011 |
Card shuffling apparatus with automatic card size calibration
during shuffling
Abstract
A device for automatically calibrating for card size during card
handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a
card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from
the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator
located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving
a stack of cards, and has a collection surface on the platform. A
motor moves the platform within the elevator. At least one sensor
senses at least one of a) position of the platform, b) height of
the platform, c) position of a card in the elevator, d) height of a
card or cards in the elevator, e) pressure applied to a card in the
elevator, e) presence of the platform at a predetermined height, f)
presence of the platform at a predetermined position, g) presence
of card(s) on the platform, and h) absence of card(s) on the
platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during
shuffling is also disclosed. The method is practiced by providing a
device having a card receiving area and a card stacking area
comprising an elevator with a card support platform and grippers.
The method includes feeding at least two initial cards into a card
stacking area, automatically identifying a target elevator height
that corresponds to a height at which at least a single card on the
card support platform is gripped and one card remains on the
platform, and randomly feeding remaining cards into the card
stacking area.
Inventors: |
Grauzer; Attila (Las Vegas,
NV), Stasson; James B. (Eden Prairie, MN), Bourbour;
Feraidoon (Eden Prairie, MN) |
Assignee: |
Shuffle Master, Inc. (Las
Vegas, NV)
|
Family
ID: |
46324566 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/444,285 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20060281534 A1 |
Dec 14, 2006 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
10926508 |
Aug 26, 2004 |
7384044 |
|
|
|
10261166 |
Sep 27, 2002 |
7036818 |
|
|
|
10128532 |
Apr 23, 2002 |
6651982 |
|
|
|
09967502 |
Sep 28, 2001 |
6651981 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17; 463/12;
463/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
1/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/24 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;463/17,12,13 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WO 98/40136 |
|
Feb 1987 |
|
WO |
|
WO 00/51076 |
|
Sep 1998 |
|
WO |
|
WO 87/00764 |
|
Aug 2000 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Scarne's Encyclopedia of Games by John Scarne, 1973, "Super
Contract Bridge", p. 153. cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Elisca; Pierre E
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mark A. Litman & Associates,
P.A.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
10/926,508, filed Aug. 26, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,044, which
is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,166,
filed Sep. 27, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,818, which is a
Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/1
28,532 filed Apr. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,982, which is a
Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/967,502
filed Sep. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,981.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for card handling comprising: a card receiving area for
receiving an initial set of cards; a card stacking area for
receiving cards from the card receiving area; a card moving system
for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking
area; an elevator in the card stacking area with a moving platform
for moving a stack of cards; a collection surface on the moving
platform in the elevator; a processor associated with the device,
the processor being programmed with software; a motor to move the
moving platform in the card stacking area; at least one sensor for
sensing at least one of a) position of the platform, b) height of
the platform, c) position of any card in the elevator in the card
stacking area, d) height of any card or cards in the elevator in
the card stacking area, e) pressure applied to any card in the
elevator in the card stacking area, f) presence of the platform at
a predetermined height, g) presence of the platform at a
predetermined position, h) presence of card(s) on the platform, and
i) absence of card(s) on the platform, and the software programmed
in the processor being accessible to direct the device to
automatically calibrate the device to enable the device to
accurately handle cards during card shuffling.
2. The device of claim 1 and further comprising a suspending
element for suspending at least one card in the card stacking area,
wherein the suspending element is a pair of grippers, and wherein
the grippers are present in the card stacking area to support
cards.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the grippers can separate a first
two inserted cards.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the software directs the device to
perform at least the following steps; a) moving the platform from a
base position below a card insertion point to a position above the
card insertion point, and registering both positions of the
platform in the microprocessor, b) moving a predetermined number of
cards from the card receiving area into the stacking area; and c)
moving at least one gripper to attempt contact of the grippers with
at least one card in the stacking area.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the program directs the device to
move at least one gripper a first distance into contact with cards
in the stacking area while those cards are on the platform at a
first gripping position, at least some subsequent moves of the at
least one gripper being of a different distance as compared to a
preceding movement, movement of the at least one gripper continuing
at least until a predetermined degree of contact is effected
between the at least one gripper and card(s) in the card collection
chamber.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the program directs two opposed
grippers into contact with cards in the stacking area and movement
of the two grippers continues until a predetermined degree of
contact between the two opposed grippers and card(s) in the
stopping chamber is affected.
7. The device of claim 5 wherein after a predetermined degree of
contact is attained, another series of steps is performed in which
card(s) on the platform are lowered below the first gripping
position and then elevated into a second gripping position where
the platform is lower than it was at the first gripping position, a
sensor identifying whether at least one card is gripped at the
second gripping position.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein card injectors are able to insert
individual cards into the stacking chamber.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein there is an insert that can
separate a stack of cards in the stacking chamber into two
segments.
10. A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprising:
a top surface and a bottom surface of said device; a card receiving
area for receiving an initial set of playing cards; a processor
communicatively associated with the device; a randomizing system
for randomizing the initial set of playing cards; a collection
surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing
cards, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are
received below the top surface of the device; an elevator for
raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized
cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device; at
least one sensor for sensing at least one of a) position of the
platform, b) height of the platform, c) position of any card on the
card collection surface in the elevator in the card collection
area, d) height of any card or cards in the elevator in the card
collection area, e) pressure applied to any card on the card
collection surface in the elevator in the card collection area, f)
presence of the platform at a predetermined height, g) of the
platform at a predetermined position, h) presence of card(s) on the
platform, and i) absence of card(s) on the platform, and the
processor having software that can be accessed to direct the device
to automatically calibrate the device during shuffling to enable
the device to accurately handle cards.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the elevator raises all
randomized cards above the top surface of the device.
12. The device of claim 10 wherein a confining set of walls
confines all randomized cards along at least two edges of the
playing cards after the randomized cards are elevated.
13. The device of claim 10 wherein at least one pick-off roller
removes cards one at a time from the card receiving area and moves
cards one at a time towards the randomizing system.
14. The device of claim 10 wherein the processor controls movement
of the pick-off roller and at least one pair of rollers that assist
in moving cards between the card receiving area and the collection
area.
15. A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprising:
a top surface and a bottom surface of said device; a processor
communicatively associated with the device; a receiving area for an
initial set of playing cards; a randomizing system for the initial
set of playing cards; a collection surface in a card collection
area for receiving playing cards that are being randomized; an
elevator in the card collection area for raising the collection
surface within the card collection area; at least one card
supporting element within the card collection area that will
support a predetermined number of cards within the card collection
area; an insertion point to the card collection area positioned
below said at least one card supporting element; at least one
sensor for sensing at least one of a) position of the platform, b)
height of the platform, c) position of any card on a support
surface in the elevator in the card collection area, d) height of
any card or cards in the elevator in the card collection area, e)
pressure applied to any card on a card collection surface in the
elevator in the card collection area, f) presence of the platform
at a predetermined height, g) presence of the platform at a
predetermined position, h) presence of card(s) on the platform, and
i) absence of card(s) on the platform, and the processor having
software that can be accessed to direct the device to automatically
calibrate the device to enable the device to accurately handle
cards during shuffling.
16. A method for calibrating a card handling device during
shuffling utilizing a device having a) a processor, b) a card
receiving area and c) a card stacking area comprising an elevator
with a card support platform and grippers, the method comprising:
feeding at least two initial cards from the card receiving area
into the card stacking area; the processor automatically
identifying a random target elevator height that corresponds to a
height at which at least one card on the card support platform is
gripped, and at least one card remains on the platform; and
randomly feeding cards into the card stacking area.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein two initial cards are fed into
the card stacking area.
18. The method of claim 17, and further comprising testing the
target elevator height multiple times prior to feeding a third
initial card.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of automatically
identifying a target elevator height comprises elevating the
elevator, gripping, lowering the elevator and sensing at least one
of a gripped card and a card present on the elevator.
20. The method of claim 19, and further comprising adjusting an
elevator height when a single gripped card and a single present
card are not sensed.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein a total of between 5 and 15
initial cards are fed and the target elevator height is tested
after each of the initial cards are fed.
22. The method of claim 21, and further comprising randomly feeding
additional cards after the initial cards are fed.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the initial cards are randomly
fed.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the initial cards are
sequentially fed.
25. The method of claim 16, wherein the target elevator height is
tested periodically during a shuffle.
26. The method of claim 16, wherein the target elevator height is
tested randomly during a shuffle.
27. The method of claim 16, and further comprising the step of
testing a gripping width.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein a gripping width is adjusted.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to shuffling and sorting apparatus for
providing randomly arranged articles and especially to the
shuffling of playing cards for gaming uses. The invention also
relates to a method and apparatus for providing randomly shuffled
deck(s) of cards in a rapid and efficient manner and a capability
of automatically calibrating the apparatus during operation and
during initial set up to compensate for various cards sizes and
card thicknesses.
2. Background of the Art
In the gaming industry, certain games require that randomly
shuffled cards are provided to players and sometimes to dealers in
live card games. It is important that the cards are shuffled
thoroughly and randomly to prevent players from having an advantage
by knowing the position of specific cards or groups of cards in the
final arrangement of cards delivered in the play of the game. At
the same time, it is advantageous to have the deck(s) shuffled in a
very short period of time so that there is minimal down time in the
play of the game.
Johnson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,310 (assigned to Shuffle
Master, Inc., assignee of the present application) describes a card
handling apparatus comprising: a loading station for receiving
cards to be shuffled; a chamber to receive a main stack of cards;
delivery means for delivering individual cards from the loading
station to the chamber; a dispensing station to dispense individual
cards for a card game; transfer means for transferring a lower most
card from the main stack to the dispensing station; and a
dispensing sensor for sensing one of the presence and absence of a
card in the dispensing station. The dispensing sensor is coupled to
the transfer means to cause a transfer of a card to the dispensing
station when an absence of a card in the dispensing station is
sensed by the dispensing sensor. Individual cards delivered from
the loading station are randomly inserted by an insertion means
into different randomly selected positions in the main stack to
obtain a randomly shuffled main stack from which cards are
individually dispensed. The insertion means includes vertically
adjustable gripping means to separate the main stack into two
spaced apart sub-stacks to enable insertion of a card between the
sub-stacks by the insertion means. The gripping means is vertically
positionable along the edges of the main stack. After gripping, the
top portion of the stack is lifted, forming two sub-stacks. At this
time, a gap is created between the stacks. This shuffler is
marketed under the name Quickdraw.RTM. shuffler in the United
States and abroad.
Similarly, Johnson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,085 (also assigned
to Shuffle Master, Inc.) describes am apparatus for shuffling or
handling a batch of cards including a chamber in which a main stack
of cards are supported, a loading station for holding a secondary
stack of cards, and a card separating mechanism for separating
cards at a series of positions along the main stack. The separating
mechanism allows the introduction of cards from the secondary stack
into the main stack at those positions. The separating mechanism
grips cards at the series of positions along the stack and lifts
those cards at and above the separation mechanism to define spaces
in the main stack for introduction of cards from the secondary
stack.
Breeding et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,139,014 and 6,068,258 (assigned
to Shuffle Master, Inc.) describe a machine for shuffling multiple
decks of playing cards in a batch-type process. The device includes
a first vertically extending magazine for holding a stack of
unshuffled playing cards, and second and third vertically extending
magazines each for holding a stack of cards, the second and third
magazines being horizontally spaced from and adjacent to the first
magazine. A first card mover is positioned at the top of the first
magazine for moving cards from the top of the stack of cards in the
first magazine to the second and third magazines to cut the stack
of unshuffled playing cards into two unshuffled stacks. Second and
third card movers are located at the top of the second and third
magazines, respectively, for randomly moving cards from the top of
the stack of cards in the second and third magazines, respectively,
back to the first magazine, thereby interleaving the cards to form
a vertically registered stack of shuffled cards in the first
magazine. Elevators are provided in the magazines to bring the
cards into contact with the card movers. This shuffler design is
currently marketed under the name MD-1.TM. shuffler and MD1.1.TM.
shuffler in the United States and abroad.
Sines et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,368 describes a playing card
shuffler having an unshuffled stack holder that holds an infeed
array of playing cards. One or more ejectors are mounted adjacent
the unshuffled stack holder to eject cards from the infeed array at
various random positions. Multiple ejectors are preferably mounted
on a movable carriage. Extractors are advantageously used to assist
in removing playing cards from the infeed array. Removal resistors
are used to provide counteracting forces resisting displacement of
cards, to thereby provide more selective ejection of cards from the
infeed array. The automated playing card shuffler comprises a
frame; an unshuffled stack holder for holding an unshuffled array
of playing cards in a stacked configuration with adjacent cards in
physical contact with each other and forming an unshuffled stack; a
shuffled array receiver for holding a shuffled array of playing
cards; at least one ejector for ejecting playing cards located at
different positions within the unshuffled stack; and a drive which
is controllable to achieve a plurality of different relative
positions between the unshuffled stack holder and the at least one
ejector. This shuffler design is currently marketed under the name
Random Ejection Shuffle.TM..
Sines et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,372 describes an automated playing
card shuffler, comprising: a frame; an unshuffled stack holder for
holding an unshuffled stack of playing cards; a shuffled stack
receiver for holding a shuffled stack of playing cards; at least
one ejector carriage mounted adjacent to said unshuffled stack
holder, said at least one ejector carriage and said unshuffled
stack holder mounted to provide relative movement between said
unshuffled stack holder and said at least one ejector carriage; a
plurality of ejectors mounted upon said at least one ejector
carriage adjacent the unshuffled stack holder, for ejecting playing
cards from the unshuffled stack, the ejecting occurring at various
random positions along the unshuffled stack.
Grauzer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,154 (assigned to Shuffle
Master, Inc.) describes an apparatus for moving playing cards from
a first group of cards into plural groups, each of said plural
groups containing a random arrangement of cards, said apparatus
comprising: a card receiver for receiving the first group of
unshuffled cards; a single stack of card-receiving compartments
generally adjacent to the card receiver, said stack generally
adjacent to and movable with respect to the first group of cards;
and a drive mechanism that moves the stack by means of translation
relative to the first group of unshuffled cards; a card-moving
mechanism between the card receiver and the stack; and a processing
unit that controls the card-moving mechanism and the drive
mechanism so that a selected quantity of cards is moved into a
selected number of compartments. This shuffler is currently
marketed under the name ACE.RTM. shuffler in the United States and
abroad.
Grauzer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,096 (assigned to Shuffle
Master, Inc.) describes an apparatus for continuously shuffling
playing cards, said apparatus comprising: a card receiver for
receiving a first group of cards; a single stack of card-receiving
compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, said stack
generally vertically movable, wherein the compartments translate
substantially vertically, and means for moving the stack; a
card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack; a
processing unit that controls the card-moving mechanism and the
means for moving the stack so that cards placed in the card
receiver are moved into selected compartments; a second card
receiver for receiving cards from the compartments; and a second
card-moving mechanism between the compartments and the second card
receiver for moving cards from the compartments to the second card
receiver. This shuffler design is marketed under the name KING.TM.
shuffler in the United States and abroad.
Johnson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,248 (assigned to Shuffle
Master, Inc.) describes an apparatus for arranging playing cards in
a desired order, said apparatus including: a housing; a sensor to
sense playing cards prior to arranging; a feeder for feeding said
playing cards sequentially past the sensor; a storage assembly
having a plurality of storage locations in which playing cards may
be arranged in groups in a desired order, wherein the storage
assembly is adapted for movement in at least two directions during
shuffling; a selectively programmable computer coupled to said
sensor and to said storage assembly to assemble in said storage
assembly groups of playing cards in a desired order; a delivery
mechanism for selectively delivering playing cards located in
selected storage locations of the storage assembly; and a collector
for collecting arranged groups of playing cards. The storage
assembly in one example of the invention is a carousel containing a
plurality of card storage compartments.
Although these and other structures are available for the
manufacture of playing card shuffling apparatus, new improvements
and new designs are desirable. In particular, it would be desirable
to provide a batch-style shuffler that is faster, provides random
shuffling and which is more compact than currently available
shuffler designs. It would also be desirable to provide a shuffler
capable of automatically making adjustments to compensate for
varying card dimensions during set up as well as while in
operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for forming a set of playing cards in a randomized order
is described. The device includes a top surface and a bottom
surface, and a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of
playing cards. A randomizing system is provided for randomizing the
initial set of playing cards. A collection surface is located in a
card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the
collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received
below the top surface of the device. An elevator is provided for
raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized
cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. An
automatic system is provided in the device for accurately
calibrating the vertical position of the collection surface. The
system also identifies specific card level positions on stacks of
cards placed onto the collection surface. Sensors to identify at
least one card level position and support surface positions are
used to calibrate the performance of card pickup grippers, platform
positions, and card positions on the platform. Several automatic
calibration routines are preferably performed by the device. The
automated calibration routines assure a high level of performance
of the device and reduce or eliminate the need for initial and
periodic manual calibration and for technical maintenance on the
device.
At least one card supporting element within the card collection
area supports and suspends a randomly determined number of cards
within the card collection area during shuffling. In one example of
the invention, a pair of spaced apart vertically disposed gripping
members are provided to grasp the opposite edges of the group of
cards being suspended. After the cards are gripped, the elevator
lowers the card collection surface, creating an opening in the
stack. A card insertion point is created in the card collection
area beneath the suspended randomly determined group of cards. The
card feed mechanism delivers a card into the insertion point. The
elevator is then raised, and the suspended cards are then released,
forming a single group of cards.
The device of the present invention preferably includes an
integrally formed automated calibration system. One function of the
automated calibration system is to identify the position of the
elevator support platform relative to a lowermost gripping position
of the grippers so that the stack of cards can be separated at a
precise location in the stack and so that a specific numbers of
cards can be accurately lifted and specific card insert positions
can be determined for insertion of cards into the randomizing stack
of cards. Another function of the automated calibration system of
the present invention is to automatically adjust the position of
the grippers to compensate for different card length, width and/or
card thicknesses.
Yet another function if the automated calibration system is to
determine the number of incremental movements of the elevator
stepper motors that corresponds to the thickness of each card. This
information is then used to determine the precise location of the
elevator in order to form each point of separation in the group of
cards during shuffling.
An elevator is provided for raising and lowering the moveable card
support surface. In operation, the vertical position of the
elevator is randomly selected and the support surface is moved to
the selected position. After the gripping arm grasps at least one
side of the cards, and more typically two opposite sides of the
cards, the elevator lowers, suspending a group of cards, and
creating a space (or point of insertion) beneath the gripping arm,
wherein a single card is moved from the infeed compartment into the
space created, thereby randomizing the order of the cards.
A method of calibrating a shuffling machine prior to and during the
randomization of a group of cards is described. The method
comprises the steps of placing a group of cards to be randomized
into a card infeed tray and removing a calibration card from the
infeed tray, and placing the card in the card randomizing area,
also known as the card collection area. The elevator and grippers
are operated until a precise location of the card that can be
gripped is identified. Either before or after this calibration
process, the card width is measured, and the grippers are adjusted
to put sufficient tension on the cards to suspend the entire group
of cards to be shuffled.
According to the invention, cards are individually fed from the
card infeed tray and delivered into a card collection area. The
card collection area has a moveable lower surface, and a stationary
opening for receiving cards from the infeed tray. The method
includes elevating the moveable lower surface to a randomly
determined height and grasping at least one edge of a group of
cards in the card collection area at a point just above the
stationary opening. The method further includes the steps of
lowering the moveable lower surface to create an opening in a stack
of cards formed on the lower surface, the opening located just
beneath a lowermost point where the cards are grasped and inserting
a card removed from the infeed tray into the opening.
A device capable of automatically calibrating is described that is
capable of automatically making adjustments to process cards of
different dimensions. The device includes a card infeed tray, a
card moving mechanism that transports cards from the infeed tray
into a card collection area; an elevator within the card collection
area that raises and lowers the group of fed cards; a device
capable of suspending all or part of the fed cards above the card
feeder; and a microprocessor that selects the position in the stack
where the next card is to be inserted, and instructs the device
capable of suspending and the elevator to create a gap, and then
instructing the card moving mechanism to insert the card.
A device for card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card
receiving area for receiving an initial set of cards, a card
stacking area for receiving cards from the card receiving area, a
card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to
the card stacking area, and an elevator in the card stacking area
with a moving platform for moving a stack of cards. The device also
includes a collection surface on the moving platform in the
elevator, a processor associated with the device, the processor
being programmed with software, a motor to move the platform within
the elevator and at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a)
position of the platform, b) height of the platform, c) position of
a card in the elevator, d) height of a card or cards in the
elevator, e) pressure applied to a card in the elevator, e)
presence of the platform at a predetermined height, f) presence of
the platform at a predetermined position, g) presence of card(s) on
the platform, and h) absence of card(s) on the platform. The
software is programmed to automatically calibrate the device to
enable the device to accurately handle cards during card shuffling.
A processor is provided having software that can be accessed to
direct the device to automatically calibrate the device during
shuffling to enable the device to accurately handle cards.
A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is
disclosed. The method is practiced by providing a device having a
card receiving area and a card stacking area comprising an elevator
with a card support platform and grippers. The method includes
feeding at least two initial cards into a card stacking area,
automatically identifying a target elevator height that corresponds
to a height at which at least a single card on the card support
platform is gripped leaving one card on the platform and randomly
feeding remaining cards into the card stacking area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1A is a flow chart depicting an automatic calibration process
of one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of the exterior shell
of a shuffling apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a cutaway side elevational view of the internal
elements of a shuffling apparatus according to teachings of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an off-set card
transport mechanism according to an embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of an off-set card transport mechanism
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a picking
system with a single or joint belt drive for moving picker
elements.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a shuffling
apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 7 shows a side cut away view of one embodiment of a shuffling
apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a second example of the exterior
shell of a shuffling apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An automatic shuffling device is described for forming a randomly
arranged set of playing cards. One embodiment of the device of the
present invention shuffles between one and eight or more decks of
cards (standard deck or decks of 52 cards each or 52 cards plus one
or two jokers) in a batch process and is particularly well suited
for providing cards for games such as baccarat and multi deck
blackjack, for example. Another embodiment of the invention is
suitable for shuffling either a single deck or two decks of cards
to be used in hand pitched games such as poker, single deck
blackjack and double deck blackjack.
The device of an embodiment of the invention includes a top surface
and a bottom surface, a card receiving area for receiving an
initial set of playing cards to be randomized and a randomizing
system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing
cards. The device further includes a card collection area and a
card collection surface within the card collection area for
receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface
receiving cards in a manner such that that all cards are inserted
into the collection area below the top surface of the device. An
elevator is provided for raising and lowering the collection
surface during shuffling, and elevating the shuffled (alternatively
referred to as `randomized`) group of cards at least as high as the
top surface of the device after shuffling (that is, the lowest card
in the shuffled group of cards is raised to a level where it may be
easily and manually removed from that level, preferably with the
lowest card being level with or above a plane defining the top
surface of the device). A card suspension mechanism such as a pair
of oppositely spaced grippers are provided to grasp some or all of
the cards on the card collection surface. After some cards are
gripped, the elevator is lowered, creating a gap or point of
insertion for the next card to be fed. Once shuffling is complete,
the stack of cards are elevated, and they can be removed by the
attendant or dealer and used for dealing. While cards are being
dealt, a second group of cards is being randomized. The use of two
separate groups of cards on one gaming table eliminates any waiting
on the part of the dealer or the casino patrons between rounds of
play, because one group of cards is shuffled while the other group
of cards is used in play of a game.
There are a number of special features that combine to make the
present invention a significant advance over previously described
card shuffling systems and card shuffling processes. Among
individual features that constitute an advance, alone or in
combination with other features include a system for automatically
calibrating and inspecting the position and performance of an
elevator for moving the final set of randomized cards upwardly so
that the stack is accessible to the dealer or attendant. In one
example of the invention, the elevator elevates the entire group of
shuffled cards to the playing table surface. The same elevator
advantageously assists in accomplishing shuffling within the card
collection and/or card mixing area.
The card collection area in one example of the invention has a
plurality of vertical supports (e.g., 2 or 3 walls, or four walls
with a manually accessible area where the lowest card may be
gripped), and a moveable lower surface. The elevator supports this
moveable lower surface (also referred to herein as the collection
surface) and causes the surface to move back and fourth (relatively
up and down) in a substantially vertical direction. One function of
the movement of the second elevator (during the shuffling or
randomizing sequence) is to position a stack of cards within the
card collection area so that a card or cards can be inserted into
the stack in a specifically selected or randomly selected precise
position within the stack to randomize, organize or arrange the
cards in a desired order, such as "pack order" for inspection
(particularly after reading the suit and rank of cards) or to
randomize the cards into a shuffled set of cards that can be dealt
to players. The insertion of cards may be performed in a number of
ways, such as by lifting or by dropping a section of the stack and
inserting one or more (and preferably just one) card into the gap,
by positioning the stack near a card insertion position and
inserting one or more cards into the stack, or inserting a
wedge-like element or blade between cards in the stack to elevate a
portion of the stack where card(s) may be inserted (as described in
Breeding et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,189 (assigned to Shuffle
Master, Inc.), which is incorporated herein by reference).
In a preferred mode of operation of the shuffler of the present
invention, a picking, gripping or separating system is provided for
suspending all of or segments of the stack of cards present in the
card collection area, creating an opening in the group of cards, so
that a next card or cards can be inserted in specific locations
relative to other cards in the stack. A variant of this system is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,981 (assigned to Shuffle Master,
Inc. and which is incorporated herein by reference). According to
that invention, the picking, gripping or card suspending system is
fixed in the vertical direction. By randomly selecting a vertical
position for the moveable base of the card receiving area prior to
picking, the location of an opening created in the stack of cards
by gripping a portion of the cards and lowering another portion of
the cards below the gripping area is varied, with random insertion
of cards into these openings causing randomization of the
cards.
Offset rollers are the preferred mechanism provided for moving the
individual cards from the card receiving area into the card
collection area, although air jets, belts, injection plates,
injection blades and the like may also be used for moving
individual cards or small numbers of cards (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5
cards) into the card receiving area. A stack stabilizing area is
provided in one example of the invention for receiving an elevated
final set of cards lifted from the card collection area. This stack
stabilization area should be positioned or positionable above the
top of the device or should begin at the top of the device.
In another example of the invention, the elevator itself is
equipped with a stack stabilizing structure that is lowered into
the inside of the shuffler prior to the randomization of cards. In
one embodiment later described in greater detail, a delivery or
elevator platform provides its own card stabilization area or in
conjunction with an elevator drive arm provides such a card
stabilization area. A single belt drive is provided in one example
of the invention for driving two spaced apart and opposed
vertically disposed picking elements in a card segment picking
system. The picking elements are vertically disposed along the path
of movement of the collection area of cards in the collection area,
and are horizontally disposed or opposed with respect to each
other. The picking elements are preferably fixed with respect to
the vertical.
A microprocessor is provided that employs a random number generator
to identify or create an intended (including random) distribution
of an initial set of cards in the card receiving area at the
conclusion of shuffling. The microprocessor executes movement of
elements in the shuffling apparatus, including the opposed picking
elements and the elevator to effect placement of each card into
spaces in the stack created by the shuffling apparatus, and a
randomized set of cards is rapidly formed. That same microprocessor
(in the shuffling device or in an associated game device) or a
separate or parallel microprocessor is used to direct the
calibration steps. In one example of the invention, the picking
elements move horizontally to grasp opposite edges of a group of
cards. Other suspension systems are contemplated, such as inserting
a flat or pointed member between the cards above the point of
separation.
The individual and combined elements of the invention will be
described in detail, after a more general description of the
invention is provided. A first general description of the invention
is a device for forming a random set of playing cards comprising: a
top surface and a bottom surface of said device; a receiving area
for an initial set of playing cards; a randomizing system for
randomizing the order of the initial set of playing cards; a
collection surface in a card collection area for receiving the
randomized playing cards; an elevator for raising the collection
surface within the card collection area; and at least one card
supporting element within the card collection area that is
horizontally fixed with respect to the vertical. The card
supporting element will support and suspend a precise number of a
randomly determined number of cards within the card collection area
to create a gap or space within the stack of cards within the
collection area that is a card insertion point. The card insertion
point or gap is created in the card collection area just below the
lowermost portion of the card supporting element or elements. Each
time the card supporting elements support a next group of cards,
and the elevator beneath the card collection area is lowered,
lowering a remaining group of cards and creating a gap. Preferably
a card feed mechanism is stationary and feeds cards individually
into a gap created in the stack.
The device may have one or more card supporting elements comprising
at least one vertically disposed element on at least one side of
the card collection area. In the alternative, the card supporting
elements include at least two opposed supporting elements such as
flexible or soft (e.g., polymeric, elastomer, rubber or
rubber-coated) gripping elements that can move inwardly along a
horizontal plane within the card collection area to contact and
support the opposite edges of at least a portion of the stack, or
substack or group of cards. Or, a horizontally disposed flat member
such as a pair of forks or a flat plate may be inserted between the
cards, so that when the elevator is lowered, an insertion point or
gap is formed. The substack may be defined as all cards within the
collection area at or above a randomly selected card or position in
the stack within the card collection area.
The device desirably has a microprocessor communicatively connected
to the device. The microprocessor in one example of the invention
is programmed to determine a distance that the card supporting
surface must be vertically moved in order to position each card in
the desired order within the stack. In one example of the
invention, cards fed into the card collection area may be placed
anywhere in the stack, including the top or bottom position. This
flexibility advantageously allows for a more random shuffle and
avoids `dead` areas within the collection stack of cards.
The device of the present invention advantageously senses the
length or width of the cards and adjusts the horizontal distance
between the gripping arms so that cards of varying lengths or
widths can be suspended. Whether the width or length is sensed
depends on the designer's selected location of the grippers within
the card collection area.
In one example of the invention, the microprocessor instructs the
device to feed a first single card into the card collection area
and to grip the card at a width representing the width of a
standard group of cards. If the sensors sense that a card is
suspended, no adjustments to a horizontal spacing between gripping
arms is necessary. If no suspended cards are sensed, the
microprocessor instructs an adjustable gripping support mechanism
to move a preselected horizontal distance and the gripping and
sensing process is repeated. When the final adjustment has been
made, cards are suspended and their presence is sensed. The
microprocessor then retains this gripping mechanism distance
setting. Alternatively, when the processor instructs the grippers
to suspend one or more cards and no suspended cards are sensed, the
adjustment sequence is activated. This entire process will be
described in further detail, below.
The microprocessor is communicatively connected to the device and
is most preferably located within the exterior shell of the device.
The microprocessor may be programmed to lower the card collection
surface within the card collection area a specified distance after
the at least one card supporting element has contacted and
supported cards, suspending a group of cards within the card
collection area, and leaving other cards on the card collection
surface, thereby creating two vertically spaced substacks of cards,
one suspended, separated by a gap or opening between the cards.
Recognition of the presence of suspended and/or supported card(s)
within the card collection area may be provided by sensors that are
capable of sensing the presence of card(s) within the area by
physical (e.g., weight), mechanical (e.g., pressure), electrical
(e.g., resistance or conductance), optical (e.g., reflective,
opacification, reading) or other known sensing methods. The
microprocessor may direct movement of one or more individual cards
into the gap created between the two segments (upper and lower) of
cards. The microprocessor may be programmed to randomly determine a
distance that the card supporting surface must be vertically moved
to in order to position at least one specific card. This method,
including measurement of card thickness, will be described in more
detail below. In the alternative, the microprocessor may be
programmed to select a specific card position below or above a
certain card, and then creating the gap. When the card supporting
element moves to contact cards within the card collection area, and
the elevator moves the card supporting surface downwardly, a gap is
created for receiving the next card.
The elevator operates in a unique manner to position cards relative
to the pickers or grippers within the shuffling chamber. This
unique operation offers significant benefits that remove the need
for human intervention in the set up or continuing operation of the
shuffling device. Among the alternative and optional unique
features of the operation of the shuffling device of the present
invention are included the following sequence of events. These
events need not necessary be combined within a single process to
represent inventive steps, as individual steps and combinations of
two or more steps may be used to define inventive processes.
According to one method, in order to calibrate the shuffling device
of the present invention to operate for a particular card size, a
calibration set of cards comprising at least one card (usually one,
although two, three, four or more cards could be used) is inserted
into the shuffling chamber prior to shuffling. Calibration is
typically called for (either manually or automatically) when a new
deck or group of cards is inserted into the machine, and prior to
shuffling. The elevator base plate defining the base of the
shuffling chamber moves the calibration set of cards to the
position within the chamber approximating a position within the
gripper (not necessarily at a level or equal position with the
bottom of the grippers), and the grippers move inwardly (towards
opposed edges of the cards) and attempts to grip the card(s). If
the gripper successfully grips the card(s), a sensor identifies
either that the card(s) have been gripped by the grippers or the
card(s) remain on the collection surface of the elevator (depending
upon the position of the sensors). If there is no indication that a
card(s) has been gripped, then the grippers move inwardly toward
each other horizontally a set number of steps (e.g., steps being
units of movement as in movement through a microstepping motor or
unit of movement through any other motivating system), and the
process is repeated. This gripping, sensing and moving sequence is
repeated until the sensor(s) sense that a card has been lifted off
the support plate and/or is supported in the grippers. The
microprocessor identifies a fixed progression of steps of
predetermined sizes of steps that are used in this gripping
calibration as well as the position that accomplished the gripping.
These determinations of card dimensions, gripping positions and
elevator position may be done independently and/or in concert.
The offset position (i.e., in a horizontal direction) of the
gripping arms is first set. The grippers move inwardly a
predetermined distance initially and in repeated testing. For
example, in the first coarse gripping attempt, the grippers may
move in 10 or 15 or other number of steps. A larger number than one
step or unit is desirable initially to assure that a rapid first
grip is attained. After the first grip of a card(s) is sensed, then
the microprocessor will widen the grip by fixed numbers of steps
(here single steps may be used), with the widening occurring until
no card is gripped. Once no card is gripped, a sufficient number of
finer gripping steps are added to the gripper movement to assure
gripping even when there is slight elastic bending of the card by
the grippers so that more cards can be supported and so that cards
will not slip. This may be 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15 or any other
number of steps to assure that secure gripping is effected. This
procedure defines the "gripping" and "card release" position of the
grippers for a particular group of cards. The microprocessor
records the stepper motor positions corresponding to the gripper
positions and uses this information to position the grippers during
shuffling.
Next, the platform height offset is to be set (i.e., in a vertical
direction). The elevator is put in a base or home position, which
may be the position of the elevator (the height of the elevator) at
the lowest position possible, or at a position below a framing
support at the base of the collection chamber or some other
predetermined position. The elevator is then raised in a coarse
series of a number of steps (again, in the initial gripping
attempt, using larger numbers of steps is desirable to speed up the
overall process, while during a more refined positioned
identification/calibration sequence, smaller numbers of steps
(i.e., finer steps), even single steps, would be used) and the
grippers are activated after each step, until the card (or set of
cards) is caught by the gripper for the first time. The number of
steps moved each time for the first gripping action is preferably
larger than single steps to assure that this card will be gripped
at the lowermost edge of the grippers. Again this may be 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, . . . 8, . . . 10, 15 etc. steps (or any number in between or
larger number of steps). Once the calibration set of card(s)
(typically one card) is gripped, this is an indication that the
platform has now raised the cards to an elevation that is at least
the elevation of the bottom of the grippers. Once gripping has
occurred, the elevator is then lowered by a smaller number of
incremental stop positions (a finer adjustment) and a new position
evaluated as to whether the grippers would then grip the
calibration card or cards. The process is repeated until the
calibration card is just below the lowermost gripping position.
This position is then recorded in memory. The repositioning is
accomplished by lowering the elevator and support plate to a
position well below the grippers and then raising the plate to a
position a predetermined number of steps lower than the last
position where the card(s) was gripped, and sensing whether the
card was gripped at the new position. Depending upon the
arrangement of the sensors, plates, and cards, it is possible to
merely ungrip the card, then lower the elevator one or more
predetermined number of steps, then attempt to regrip the card, and
sense whether the card has been gripped.
Once the card has been lowered just below the gripper, a second
calibration card is added to the card collection surface. The
elevator position is registered/recorded. The precision of the
system enables options in the practice of the invention such as the
following. After a single card has been gripped, and a position
determined where that single card will not be gripped with a
slightly lowered elevator position (e.g., movement downward, which
may be anywhere from 2 to 20 steps or more), another calibration
card or cards may then be added to the shuffling chamber on top of
the calibration card(s). The elevator and grippers may then be
exercised with the elevator moving single steps, until the
sensor(s) determined that one card has been gripped and lifted off
the support plate and another card(s) remains on the support plate.
To this position is added a number of steps equal to a card
thickness, and this final position is defined as the platform
offset and identifies the position where the bottom-most card would
be lifted off of the support plate.
Prior to inserting the first calibration card, the elevator is
raised to a predetermined sensed position in the card collection
area, and that position or elevation is recorded in memory. After
the first group of cards are inserted and randomized, the procedure
is repeated, this time either measuring the height of the elevator
when the top card in the stack was at the original height of the
elevator, or measuring a new height of the top of the stack of
cards when the elevator returns to that recorded position. The
difference in distances represents the thickness of the deck or
group of cards. As each card is fed into the card collection
surface, the number of cards are counted and this number is
recorded.
The processor uses both pieces of information to calculate an
average card thickness, and to associate the number of motor steps
to one card thickness. This information is then used in positioning
the elevator for precise placement in the next shuffle.
At this point, all of the remaining cards in the deck(s) may be
added to the shuffling chamber (either directly or into the card
receiving chamber and then into the card shuffling chamber). The
system may then check on the efficiency of the grippers by raising
the deck to a level where all cards should be gripped, the grippers
grip the entire deck (one, two, three or more times), and the
elevator lowered. If no cards are dropped in the chamber, the
system may proceed to normal shuffling procedures. If the grippers
leave one or more cards, or one or more cards fall back into the
shuffling chamber, the gripper action may be automatically or
manually (by an operator signal) adjusted to provided greater force
on the cards (i.e., in a horizontal direction), and the deck lift
procedure is then attempted again, until the entire deck is lifted.
The entire calibration process may have to be repeated if there is
any uncorrectable failure in a complete deck lift test
procedure.
The shuffler preferably includes a multiple segment information
display as described in Breeding et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,373
entitled "Method and Apparatus for Automatically Cutting and
Shuffling Playing Cards", the disclosure of which is herein
incorporated by reference. The display may then indicate
information relating to the state of the shuffler, such as the
indication "AUTO ADJUST COMPLETE" and the operator may proceed with
normal shuffling procedures, with or without further instruction on
the display panel.
The calibration process described above is preferably repeated
periodically to compensate for swelling and bending of the cards.
The process may be repeated after a specified number of shuffling
cycles, after a specified period of time, after a specified amount
of use, when a new group of cards is inserted into the machine, at
the request of the user or by any other means. In a preferred form
of the invention, two cards are initially fed into the device and
separated prior to each new shuffle to verify that the device is
still calibrated properly. If the cards do not separate, the
calibration sequence is initiated. The device of the present
invention includes a jam recovery feature similar to that described
in Breeding et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,373, the content of which
is incorporated by reference. However, upon the fourth (or other
number of failures) failure to recover from a jam, one or more of
the calibration features described above are automatically
activated.
This element of the total calibration process will thus calibrate
the shuffling device in advance of any shuffling procedure with
respect to the position of the bottom card (the card touching the
elevator base plate or support plate) by moving the elevator up and
down, by gripping and regripping the cards to identify a position
where no cards are gripped and then only one card is gripped. The
other gripping-regripping procedure within the total calibration
process will also identify and calibrate the shuffling apparatus
with respect to the unique size of cards placed into the shuffling
apparatus, and to compensate for card swelling, card wear and any
other circumstance that affects the dimensions of the cards. Based
on the knowledge of how many cards have been inserted into the
shuffling chamber in the set (preferably 1 card and then two cards
total), the microprocessor identifies and determines the position
of the elevator support plate, and the appropriate position of the
elevator support plate with respect to the grippers and also the
relative height of the number of cards in the set on the elevator
card support plate.
This information is stored for use with the particular stack of
cards to be used in the shuffling process. When subsequent decks
are inserted, the operator may optionally indicate that the decks
are `the same` or sufficiently similar that the entire process need
not be performed, or may indicate that the process may be
initiated, or the machine may automatically make a check of a
single card to determine if it appears to be the same size, and
then the shuffling program will be initiated if the card is
identified as the same size.
Additionally or alternatively, once the calibration set of cards
has been first gripped, the grippers release the cards and regrip
the cards, measuring any one or more of the following: a) position
of the grippers relative to each other (with one or more of the two
opposed grippers moving, the `steps` or other measurable indicator
of extent of movement or position of the grippers) is determined
and registered for use by the microprocessor; b) the force or
tension between the grippers (with the calibration set of cards or
only one card) gripped between the grippers; c) the height of a top
card (or the single card) in the calibration set when cards are
flexed by the force of the grippers (which may be measured by
sensors positions in the shuffling chamber), or d) any other system
that identifies and/or measures a property or condition indicative
of the gripping of the cards with a force in a range between a
force insufficient to support the weight of the calibration set
against slippage and bending the cards to a point where a card
might lift off other cards in the calibration set. The calibration
distance is typically in a range of between 93-99.5% of the length
of width of the cards (whichever is being measured by picker
movement, usually the length of the cards).
The positioning, repositioning and gripping of the cards are
performed automatically and directed by the microprocessor or an
additional microprocessor (there may even be a networked central
control computer, but a microprocessor in the device is preferred).
The elevator and the grippers are moved by steps or microsteps by a
micro-stepping motor or other fine movement control system (e.g.,
hydraulic system, screw system, geared system, and the like). The
use of the automatic process eliminates the need for technicians to
set up and periodically adjust individual machines, which must be
done at regular intervals because of wear on parts or when cards
are replaced. As noted, the positioning may be performed with a
calibration set as small as a single card. After the automated
calibration or position determination has been performed, the
microprocessor remembers that position and shuffling can be
initiated with the stack of cards from which the calibration cards
were taken.
This calibration or preshuffling protocol may be used in
conjunction with any system where an elevator is used, whether with
grippers, card inserting devices, injectors and the like (as
described above) are used, and not only the specific apparatus
shown in the figures. A similar calibration system for determining
specific positions of carousel chambers in a carousel-type
shuffling device may also be used, without grippers. The carousel
may be rotated and the position of the shelves in the carousel with
respect to other functional elements in the device may be
determined. For example, card reading devices, card injection
components, card removal elements, and card receiving chambers may
be calibrated with regard to each other. As is understood by those
ordinarily skilled in the art, there may be variations chosen among
components, sequences of steps, and types of steps performed, with
those changes still reflecting the spirit and scope of the
invention disclosed herein.
In addition, the card collection chamber need not be vertically
disposed. The chamber could be angled with respect to the vertical
to improve contact between the card edges and the support structure
located within the card collection area.
As noted, this description reflects a detailed description of the
preferred practice of the invention with grippers. Alternative
systems, such as those with injectors or stack wedges may also be
used with the calibration system of the invention with
modifications reflecting the different systems. For example, where
the calibration in the preferred embodiment addresses the level of
the grippers with respect to cards and the elevator support plate,
the system may be translated to calibration of air injectors, wedge
lifters, and blade or plate injectors. This is done with an
equivalent procedure for identifying the position of a card(s)
placed on the support plate. For example, rather than repeated
tests with a gripper, repeated tests with an air injector (to see
when a card is ejected or injected by its operation), repeated
tests with a blade or plate injector (to see when a card is ejected
or injected by its operation), or a wedge separator with associated
card(s) insertion (to see when the stack [e.g., a single card or a
number of cards] are raised or when a card may be ejected or
injected by its operation with minimum force).
The device of the present invention is also capable of monitoring
card thickness and uses this information to determine the location
or position in the stack where separation is to occur with great
accuracy.
In another embodiment, a first sensor located in the shuffling
chamber senses the height of the platform within the shuffling
chamber in its lowermost position prior to the beginning of the
randomization process, when no cards are in the shuffling chamber.
The sensor could also sense the platform position in any other
predetermined or "home" position or assign such nomenclature to a
position.
After randomization, when all cards have been transferred into the
shuffling chamber, the platform is returned to this same position,
and the same or another sensor located in the shuffling chamber
(also referred to herein as the collection chamber) may sense the
height of the top card in the stack. The difference between the two
measurements represents the thickness of the stack of cards. This
is an alternate method of measuring stack thickness.
Sensors (such as optical sensors, sonic sensors, physical sensors,
electrical sensors, and the like, as previously described) sense
cards as they are individually fed from the infeed tray into the
shuffling chamber. This information is used by the microprocessor
to verify that the expected number of cards is present. In one
example of the invention, if cards are missing or extra cards are
present, the display will indicate a misdeal and will automatically
unload.
The microprocessor may use the two height measurements and the card
count to calculate an average card thickness. This thickness
measurement is used to determine what height the elevator must be
in order to separate the stack between any two "target" cards.
The average card thickness can be recalculated each time the
shuffler is activated upon power up, or according to a schedule
such as every 10 to 30 minutes, with 20 minute intervals as one
preferred example.
The inventors have recognized that deck thickness increases the
more the cards are used, and as the humidity in the air increases,
and when cards become worn. Under humid conditions, it might be
desirable to check the card thickness more often than ever 20
minutes. Under extreme conditions of continuous use and high
humidity, it might be desirable to recalculate an average card
thickness after the completion of every shuffle.
A novel method of determining an average card thickness measurement
during shuffling is disclosed herein as an invention. The method
includes providing a stack of cards, providing a card feeder
capable of relative motion between the card feeder and the stack,
and measuring a home position of the stack platform. The home
position indicates a height of the elevator platform when no cards
are present in the stacking area. The method further includes
feeding cards into the stacking area, counting a number of cards
placed into the stacking area as they are fed and sensing a height
of a topmost card in the stack when the elevator is returned to the
same home position. An average card thickness is then computed from
the collected information (e.g., stack height/number of
cards=height/card).
The average card thickness is advantageously used to determine the
position of card grippers used to grasp cards. Upon lowering the
platform beneath the grippers, an opening is formed at a precise
predetermined location, allowing precise placement of the next card
between two cards.
According to the present invention, a sensor is positioned at a
point of insertion into the group of cards in the card collection
area. Each time a gap is formed, the sensor verifies that the gap
is open, e.g.--that no cards are suspended or are hanging due to
static forces. The card feeder activates when the sensor indicates
the opening is clear. This method avoids jams and provides faster
shuffling as compared to programming a time delay between the
gripping of cards and subsequent lowering of the elevator and the
insertion of the next card.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the shuffler is capable
of monitoring card thickness and width and make adjustments during
the operation of the shuffler. Specifically, a number of sensors
monitor the card separation process. Any errors related to card
separation are detected and a calibration routine is automatically
triggered.
According to a second illustrated embodiment of a calibration
method, at the beginning of each shuffle, at least two cards, and
preferably just two cards are deposited onto the platform. Prior to
or concurrently with the random delivery of cards, a testing and
calibration process occurs. The gripping width may or may not be
adjusted at this time. In a preferred form of the invention, the
gripping width is adjusted prior to performing the steps outlined
below.
The platform height is adjusted so that the grippers are capable of
separating the two cards, thereby suspending a card and leaving the
other card on the platform. Once the platform height resulting in a
separation of the two cards is determined, the stepper motor
(relating to a specific elevator position) position is stored in
memory. This position corresponds to the target position of the
elevator. The height is determined by moving the shaft of the
stepper motor a predefined number of steps, resulting in the rough
platform distance adjustment, gripping, sensing, and then moving
the stepper motor smaller numbers of steps, resulting in a more
fine elevator distance adjustment, as described above. This process
is repeated until an elevator height that accomplishes card
separation (with the least amount of force) is determined. After
this height is determined, the two-card separation process is
repeated another number of additional times, such as 2, 3, 4 or 5
additional times to verify that the elevator height adjustment is
accurate for the cards currently in the machine.
The system continues to monitor the platform and grippers through
at least a platform sensor and a gripper sensor. According to the
preferred process, additional initial cards are added, i.e. between
two and ten, and preferably eight. As each card is loaded, the
elevator moves to the target position and the machine tests its
ability to lift all of the cards except one after each new card is
inserted. After the initial ten cards are randomly inserted, the
device resumes normal shuffling operation and ceases testing.
Shuffling then proceeds in the usual manner.
A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is
disclosed. The method is practiced by providing a device having a
card receiving area and a card stacking area comprising an elevator
with a card support platform and grippers. The method includes
feeding at least two initial cards into a card stacking area,
automatically identifying a target elevator height that corresponds
to a height at which at least a single card on the card support
platform is gripped, and one card remains on the platform, storing
the target elevator height and randomly feeding remaining cards
into the card stacking area.
According to a preferred method as shown in FIG. 1A, a novel card
calibration method is illustrated. A first card is inserted from
the card feeder onto the platform 1a. Then a second card is
inserted 2a on top of the first card. The shuffler makes the
necessary adjustments to a height of the platform 3a (and
optionally to the gripper width) in order to accomplish separation
of the two cards. When the system sensors detect a state of card
separation, the height of the platform (or another measurement
corresponding to height) is stored in memory. The elevator is
lowered and then moved back to this stored position up to 5
additional times 4a. After repeated successful separations, a next
card (in this example, a third card) is inserted 6a. The height of
the elevator is then adjusted and the grippers grip all of the
cards except one card. The elevator height is lowered 8a and the
sensors determine if just one card remains on the surface of the
elevator 7a. Once the desired result is obtained, i.e.--one card
remains on the elevator, this gripping and testing process is
repeated multiple times to verify the accuracy of the elevator
height. In an alternative embodiment, the system verifies that at
least one card is positioned in the gripper, and the remaining
cards are located on the elevator.
Up to seven additional initial cards are inserted, and the
gripping/checking sequence is performed with the addition of each
additional card, until a predetermined number of cards have been
inserted. In one form of the invention, the target elevator height
is tested and adjusted if necessary each time a new card is added,
until a predetermined number of cards have been inserted, such as
between 5 and 15 cards and typically 10 cards. In other forms of
the invention, the target elevator height is repeatedly tested
after each group of an initial predetermined number of cards have
been randomly inserted, or is tested on a random or on any other
periodic basis. Although in a preferred form of the invention, the
testing ceases after the first ten initial cards are delivered, the
invention contemplates testing the target elevator height at any
time during the shuffle.
The initial group of cards is typically delivered according to a
randomly determined order. In other forms of the invention, the
first group of cards is delivered sequentially. Since the machine
is capable of verifying that the initially fed cards are capable of
separation, feeding the initial group of cards sequentially does
not adversely impact randomness. Once the initial calibration
process is complete, random delivery of the remainder of the cards
is accomplished.
Another general description of a preferred device according to the
invention is a device for forming a random set of playing cards
comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface of said device; a
receiving area for supporting an initial set of playing cards to be
randomized; a randomizing system for randomizing the initial set of
playing cards; a collection surface in a card collection area for
receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface being
moveable in a vertical direction. In one example of the invention,
cards are received onto the collection surface, either positioned
directly on the surface or positioned indirectly on a card
supported by the surface. All cards being randomized in this
example are inserted into the card collection area at a location
below the top surface of the device. Cards are fed individually off
of the bottom of the stack located in the card receiving area and
into the card collection area in one example of the invention.
An elevator is provided for raising the collection surface so that
at the conclusion of shuffling, at least some randomized cards are
elevated to a position at or above the top surface of the device.
The elevator may be capable of raising all or part of the
randomized cards at or above the top surface of the device. A cover
may be provided to protect or mask the cards until they are
elevated into a delivery position from which a dealer may remove
the cards manually. The device may have a stack stabilizing area
defined by a confining set of walls defining a shuffled card
delivery area that confine all randomized cards along at least two,
and preferably three edges after the randomized cards are
elevated.
Alternatively, the card collection surface itself, elements
positioned on the top surface of the shuffler or elements moved
above the top surface of the shuffler may act to stabilize the
cards so that they are more easily removed by the dealers hand(s).
The present invention also contemplates raising the shuffled group
of cards to the top surface of the shuffler, where there are no
confining structures around the cards. In one example of the
invention, the top surface of the shuffler is flush mounted into
the gaming table surface, and the cards are delivered directly to
the gaming table surfaces after shuffling.
The delivery area may be positioned such that its lower interior
surface is at the same elevation as the top surface of the
shuffler. The lower interior surface may be elevated above the top
surface, or positioned beneath the top surface of the shuffler. In
one example of the invention, the lower interior surface is at the
same elevation as the top of the exterior of the shuffler. If the
shuffler is mounted into and completely surrounded by a gaming
table surface, it would be desirable to deliver cards so that the
bottom card in the stack is at the same elevation as the gaming
table surface.
The card receiving area may be sloped downwardly towards to
randomizing system to assist movement of playing cards. The device
may have at least one pick-off roller to remove cards one at a time
from the card receiving area and to move cards, one at a time
towards the randomizing components of the system. Although in one
example of the invention the randomizing system suspends cards and
inserts cards in a gap created below the suspended cards, other
randomization systems can be employed, such as the random ejection
shuffling technique disclosed in Sines U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,483, the
disclosure which hereby is incorporated by reference. The at least
one pair of speed up rollers desirably receive cards from the at
least one pick-off roller. A microprocessor preferably controls
movement of the pick-off roller and the at least one pair of speed
up rollers. The first card is preferably moved by the pick-off
roller so that, as later described in greater detail, movement of
the pick-off roller is altered (stopped or tension contact with the
card is reduced or ended) so that no card other than the first
(lowermost) card is moved by either the pick-off roller or the at
least one pair of speed up rollers. This can be done by sensing of
the movement or tension on the first card effected by the at least
one pair of rollers, causing the pick-off roller to disengage from
the drive mechanism and freely rotate and to not propel the
card.
The microprocessor, for example, may be programmed to direct the
pick-off roller to disengage from the drive mechanism and to cease
propelling a first card being moved by the pick-off roller when it
is sensed that the first card is being moved by the at least one
pair of rollers. A preferred randomization system moves one card at
a time into an area overlying the collection surface. It is
desirable to have one card at a time positioned into a randomized
set of playing cards over the playing card collection surface.
Again, as with the first general structure, the card collection
area may be bordered on two opposed sides by two vertically
disposed horizontally opposed movable card supporting elements.
There is preferably an insertion point, such as an opening or slot
to the card collection area that is located below a bottom edge of
the two movable card supporting elements. The card supporting
surface is vertically positionable within the card collection area,
usually under the control and direction of a microprocessor. For
example, the card supporting surface is moved by a motivator or
elevator that is able to move incremental vertical distances that
are no greater than the thickness of a playing card, such as
incremental vertical distances that are no greater than one-half
the thickness of a playing card. The motor may be, for example, a
micro-stepper motor or an analog motor.
A sensor may be present within the collection area, below the top
surface of the device, the sensor detecting a position of a top
card of a group of cards in the card collection area below the
group of suspended cards. In the alternative or in concert, the
sensor detects the level of the card collection surface. In
addition, a preferred device monitors the elevation of the top card
when the two groups of cards are combined into one group, and
adjusts for changes in the thickness of the deck, due to swelling,
humidity, card wear, bowing of cards, etc. A microprocessor is
preferably present in the device to control vertical movement of
the card collection surface. The sensor may identify the position
of the collection surface to place the top card at a position level
with the bottom of at least one card supporting element that is
movable substantially horizontally from at least one side of the
collection area towards playing cards within the card collection
area.
In one example of the invention, an opening such as a slot is
provided in a side wall of the card collection area to permit
transfer of cards from the card receiving area into the card
collection area. The side wall may comprise a substantially solid
support structure; adjoining edges of a plurality of vertical "L"
shaped corner support structures, or other equivalent structure
capable of retaining a stack of cards in a substantially upright
position. The microprocessor may be programmed to determine a
distance that the card supporting surface must be vertically moved
to position at least one specific card, including or other than the
top card at a bottom edge of the at least one card supporting
element when the card supporting element moves to contact cards
within the card collection area. As previously described, the at
least one card supporting element may comprise at least two
elements such as gripping pads that move from horizontally opposed
sides of the collection area towards playing cards within the card
collection area.
The microprocessor may be programmed to lower the card collection
surface within the card collection area after the at least one card
supporting element has contacted and supported cards within the
card collection area, creating two vertically spaced apart segments
or substacks of cards. The microprocessor directs movement of an
individual card into the card supporting area between the two
separated segments of cards. The microprocessor may direct movement
of playing card moving elements within the device. The
microprocessor randomly assigns final positions for each card
within the initial set of playing cards, and then directs the
device to arrange the initial set of playing cards into those
randomly assigned final positions to form a randomized final set of
playing cards. Each card is inserted into the building stack of
collected (randomized or shuffled) cards by positioning them in
respect to the other cards already in the stack. Thus, even if a
first card is not intended to be adjacent to a particular card, but
is intended to be above that particular card, the first card is
positioned above (and possibly adjacent to) the particular card,
and intervening cards in the intended sequence added between the
first card and the particular card.
In one embodiment of the invention, the card receiving area is
located such that individual cards are fed off of the bottom of the
stack, through the slot formed in the card collection area,
directly beneath the gripping elements. In another example of the
invention, a card loading elevator is provided so that the cards
can be loaded into the card receiving area at an elevation above
that of the first embodiment. The elevator then lowers the cards to
a vertical position aligned with the feed mechanism.
When the device is used to process large batches of cards, such as
groups of eight decks, it is desirable to provide a feed elevator
to lower the entire batch of cards beneath the top surface of the
shuffler, prior to shuffling. The card feeding mechanism from the
card receiving area to the card collection or shuffling area is
necessarily positioned lower in a shuffler that processes more
cards than in a shuffler that processes fewer cards. When a large
number of cards is to be inserted into the machine for shuffling, a
retaining structure may be provided, consisting of a card stop or
frame to limit card movement on up to three sides of the elevator.
The open side or sides permit the dealer to load the stack from the
side of the elevator, rather than trying to load the elevator from
above, and allowing cards to fall freely and turn over.
A randomizing elevator is provided for moving the cards being
randomized and operates to raise and lower the bottom card support
surface of the card collection area. This elevator moves during
randomization, and also aids in the delivery of the shuffled group
of cards by raising the shuffled cards to a delivery area.
Reference to the figures will assist in appreciation and enablement
of the practice of the present invention. Upwardly extending side
walls on the card collection surface, an elevator arm or extension
of an elevator arm, or another element attached to the arm may move
with the elevator and be used to move other portions of the
shuffling apparatus. For example, the arm extension may be used to
lift hinged or sliding covers over the cards as the cards are
raised above a certain level that exceeds the normal shuffling
elevation of the elevator.
FIG. 1 shows a partial perspective view of the top surface 4 of a
first shuffling apparatus 2 according to a practice of the
invention. In this example of the invention, the device randomizes
one or two decks of cards. The shuffling apparatus has a card
accepting/receiving area 6 that is preferably provided with a
stationary lower support surface that slopes downwardly from the
nearest outer side 9 of the shuffling apparatus 2. A depression 10
is provided in that nearest outer side 9 to facilitate an
operator's ability to place or remove cards into the card
accepting/receiving area 6. The top surface 4 of the shuffling
apparatus 2 is provided with a visual display 12 (e.g., LED, liquid
crystal, micromonitor, semiconductor display, etc.), and a series
of buttons, touch pads, lights and/or displays 24 and 26. These
elements on the top surface 4 of the shuffling device 2 may act to
indicate power availability (on/off), shuffler state (jam, active
shuffling, completed shuffling cycle, insufficient numbers of
cards, missing cards, sufficient numbers of cards, complete
deck(s), damaged or marked cards, entry functions for the dealer to
identify the number of players, the number of cards per hand,
access to fixed programming for various games, the number of decks
being shuffled, card calibration information and the like), or
other information useful to the operator or casino.
Also shown in FIG. 1 is a separation plate 20 with a beveled edge
21 and two manual access facilitating recesses 22 that assists an
operator in accessing and removing jammed cards between the card
accepting area 6 and the shuffled card return area 32. The shuffled
card return area 32 is shown to be provided with an elevator
surface 14 and two separated card-supporting sides 34. In a
preferred embodiment, sides 34 are removable. When the shuffler is
flush-mounted into and surrounded by the top of a gaming table
surface, removal of sides 34 enables the device to lift shuffled
groups of cards onto the gaining table surface for immediate use.
The card supporting sides 34 surround a portion of the elevator
surface 14 with interior faces 16 and blocking extensions 18. It is
desirable to provide rounded or beveled edges 11 on edges that may
come into contact with cards to prevent scratching, catching or
snagging of cards, or scratching of operators' fingers or
hands.
FIG. 2 shows a cutaway side view of a first embodiment of a
shuffling apparatus 102 according to the present invention. The top
surface 104 is shown with a separation plate 120 and the side
panels 134 (card supporting sides) of the shuffled card return area
132. The card accepting/receiving area 106 is recessed with respect
to the top surface 104 and is shown with a declining sloping
support surface 108. At the front 135 of the sloping surface 108 is
an opening 136 (not able to be seen in the direct side view) or
slot through which a bottom pick-off wheel 138 may contact a bottom
card in an unshuffled set of cards (not shown) within the card
accepting/receiving area 106. The bottom pick-off roller 138 drives
a card in direction 140 by frictional contact towards a first pair
of nip rollers or off-set rollers 142. In one example of the
invention, the upper roller of off-set rollers 142 is a break
roller. This break roller retains the second top card for
separation in the event that two cards are fed at the same time. In
a preferred form of the invention, the upper roller does not
rotate. In another form of the invention, the upper roller rotates,
but is rotationally constrained.
There are an additional two pairs 144, 146 of nip rollers or
off-set rollers acting in concert (or only one pair is being
driven) to move cards first moved by the first set of nip rollers
142. In a preferred practice of the present invention, the
operation of the apparatus 102 may perform in the following manner.
When a card (not shown) is moved from the unshuffled card
accepting/receiving area 106, eventually another card in a stack of
cards within the card accepting/receiving area 106 is exposed. The
apparatus is designed, programmed and controlled to operate so that
individual cards are moved into the first set of nip rollers or
off-set rollers 142. If more than one card from the card
accepting/receiving area advances at any given time (even if in
partial sequence, with a portion of one card overlapping another
card), it will be more difficult or even impossible for the
apparatus to direct individual cards into predetermined positions
and shuffle the cards randomly.
If two cards are moved at the same time and positioned adjacent to
each other, this uncontrollably decreases the randomness of the
shuffling apparatus. It is therefore desirable to provide a
capability whereby when a card is moved into the control area of
the first set of nip rollers or off-set rollers 142, the drive
function of the bottom pick-off roller 138 ceases on that card
and/or before the bottom pick-off roller 138 drives the next card.
This can be effected by a wide variety of techniques controlled or
directed by a microprocessor, circuit board, programmable
intelligence or fixed intelligence within the apparatus.
Among the non-limiting examples of these techniques are 1) a sensor
so that when a pre-selected portion of the card (e.g., leading
edge, trailing edge, and mark or feature on the card) passes a
reading device, such as an optical reader, the bottom pick-off
roller 136 is directed to disengage, revolve freely, or withdraw
from the bottom of the set of cards; 2) the first set of nip
rollers or off-set rollers 144 may have a surface speed that is
greater than the surface speed of the bottom pick-off roller 138,
so that engagement of a card applies tension against the bottom
pick-off roller 138 and the roller disengages with free rolling
gearing, so that no forward moving (in direction 140) forces are
applied to the first card or any other card exposed upon movement
of the first card; 3) a timing sequence so that, upon movement of
the bottom pick-off roller for a defined period of time or for a
defined amount of rotation (which correlates into a defined
distance of movement of the first card), the bottom pick-off roller
138 disengages, withdraws, or otherwise stops applying forces
against the first card and thereby avoids applying forces against
any other cards exposed by movement of the first card from the card
accepting/receiving area 106 and 4) providing a stepped surface
(not shown) between pick-off roller 138 and off-set rollers 146
that contacts a leading edge of each card and will cause a card to
be held up or retained in the event that more than one card feeds
at a time.
The cards are eventually intended to be fed, one-at-a-time from
final nip rollers or off-set rollers 146 into the card mixing area
150. The cards in the mixing area 150 are supported on elevator
platform 156. The platform 156 moves the stack of cards present in
the mixing area up and down as a group in proximity with a pair
separation elements 154. The pair of separation elements 154 grip
an upper portion of cards, and supports those cards while the
elevator drops sufficiently to provide an opening for insertion of
a card into the stack at the level of the nip between rollers 146.
This movement within the apparatus 102 in the performance of the
shuffling sequence offers a significant speed advantage in the
shuffling operation as compared to U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,085,
especially as the number of cards in the card mixing area 150
increases. Rather than having to lower the entire stack of cards to
the bottom of the card receiving area and reposition the pickers
(as required by U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,085), the cards in the present
apparatus may be dropped by the pickers or the elevator needs to
move only a slight distance to recombine the cards supported by the
separation element 154 (a gripper, and insertion support, fingers,
friction engaging support, rubber fingers, etc.) with the cards
supported on the elevator platform 156.
The stationary pair of gripping pads also maintains the alignment
of the pads with respect to each other and grips the cards more
securely than the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,085,
reducing or eliminating the unintentional dropping of a card or
cards that were intended to be gripped, rather than lowered.
Whenever cards are dropped, the randomness of the final shuffle may
be adversely affected. Cards may also flip over, causing misdeals.
Although the first example of the invention shows a pair of
oppositely positioned gripping members, it is possible to utilize
just one gripper. For example, the opposite vertical support
surface could be equipped with a rubber or neoprene strip,
increasing frictional contact, allowing only one gripper to suspend
groups of cards.
The elevator of a device with stationary grippers may then be moved
to the next directed separation position, which would require, on
average, less movement than having to reset the entire deck to the
bottom of the card supporting area and then moving the picker, and
then raising the picker to the card insertion point, as required in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,085.
The microprocessor 160 controls and directs the operation of the
shuffling apparatus 102. The microprocessor 160 also receives and
responds to information provided to it. For example, a set of
sensing devices 152 are used to determine the movement point of the
elevator that positions the top card in a set of cards (not shown)
within the card mixing area 150 at a specific elevation. The
sensing devices 152 identify when an uppermost card on the platform
156 or the top of the platform itself is level with the sensors
152. This information is provided to the microprocessor. A reading
system 170 may also be used to provide information, such as the
number of cards that have been fed from the card
accepting/receiving area 106 into the card mixing area 150 so that
the number of cards shuffled and the number of cards present on the
platform 150 at any given time is known. This information, such as
the number of cards present within the card mixing area 150, is
used by the microprocessor 160, as later explained to determine
card thickness and to randomly arrange and thus shuffle cards
according to the programming of the system.
For example, the programming may be preformed as follows. The
number of cards in a set of cards intended to be used in the system
is entered into the memory of the microprocessor. Each card in the
set of cards is provided with a specific number that is associated
with that particular card, herein referred to as the original
position number. This is most conveniently done by assigning
numbers according to positions within the original (unshuffled) set
of cards. If cards are fed from the bottom of the stack into the
randomizing apparatus, cards are assigned numbers from the bottom
to the top. If cards are fed from the top of the stack or the front
of a stack supported along its bottom edges, then the cards are
numbered from top to bottom, or front to rear.
A random number generator (which may be part of the microprocessor
160, may be a separate component, may be software or may be
external to the device) then assigns a random position number to
each card within the original set of cards, the random position
number being the randomly determined final position that each card
will occupy in the randomly associated set of cards ultimately
resulting in a shuffled set of cards. The microprocessor identifies
each card by its original position number. This is most easily done
when the original position number directly corresponds to its
actual position in the set, such as the bottom-most card being CARD
1, the next card being CARD 2, the next bard being CARD 3, etc. The
microprocessor, taking the random position number, then directs the
elevator to move into position where the card can be properly
inserted into the randomized or shuffled set of cards. For example,
a set of randomized positions selected by a random number generator
for a single deck is provided below. OPN is the Original Position
Number and RPN is the Random Position Number.
TABLE-US-00001 OPN RPN 1 13 2 6 3 39 4 51 5 2 6 12 7 44 8 40 9 3 10
17 11 25 12 1 13 49 14 10 15 21 16 29 17 33 18 11 19 52 20 5 21 18
22 28 23 34 24 9 25 48 26 16 27 14 28 31 29 50 30 7 31 46 32 23 33
41 34 19 35 35 36 26 37 42 38 8 39 43 40 4 41 20 42 47 43 37 44 30
45 24 46 38 47 15 48 36 49 45 50 32 51 27 52 22
The sequence of steps in the shuffling or randomizing procedure may
be described as follows for the above table of card OPN's and
RPN's. OPN CARD 1 is carried from the card receiving area 106 to
the final nip rollers or off-set rollers 146. The final nip rollers
or off-set rollers 146 place CARD 1 onto the top of the platform,
which has been appropriately positioned by sensing by sensors 152.
OPN CARD 2 is placed on top of CARD 1, without the need for any
gripping or lifting of cards. The microprocessor identifies the RPN
position of CARD 3 as beneath both CARD 1 and CARD 2, so the
elevator 156 lifts the cards to the gripping element 154 which
grips both CARD I and CARD 2, then supports those two cards while
the elevator ret-acts, allowing CARD 3 to be placed between the
elevator platform 156 and the two supported cards. The two cards
(CARD 1 and CARD 2) are then placed on top of CARD 3 supported by
the platform 156. The fourth card (CARD 4) is assigned position RPN
51. The elevator would position the three cards in the pile so that
all three cards would be lifted by the card separation element, and
the fourth card inserted between the three cards (CARD 1, CARD 2
and CARD 3) and the platform 156. The fifth card (CARD 5) has an
RPN of 2, so that the apparatus merely requires that the four cards
be positioned below the insertion point from the last two nip
rollers 146 by lowering the platform 150. Positioning of the sixth
card (CARD 6) with an RPN of 12 requires that the elevator raise
the complete stack of cards, the sensors 152 sense the top of the
stack of cards, elevate the stack of cards so that the separators
154 grip only the top two cards (RPN positions 2 and 6), lower the
platform 156 slightly, and then CARD 6 with an RPN of 12 can be
properly inserted into an opening in the developing randomized set
of cards. This type of process is performed until all 52 cards (for
a single deck game) or all 104 cards (for a double deck game) are
randomly associated into the final randomized set or shuffled set
of cards. The apparatus may be designed for larger groups of cards
than single fifty-two card decks, including 52 card decks with or
without special (wild cards or jokers) cards, special decks, two
fifty-two card decks, and two fifty-two card decks plus special
cards. Larger groupings of cards (e.g., more than 108 cards) may
also be used, but the apparatus of the first example of the
invention has been shown as optimized for one or two deck
shuffling.
Elevation of the elevator or platform 156 may be effected by any
number of commercially available type systems. Motivation is
preferably provided by a system with a high degree of consistency
and control over the movement of the elevator, both in individual
moves (e.g.--individual steps or pulses) and in collective movement
of the elevator (the steps or revolutions made by the moving
system). It is important that the elevator is capable of providing
precise and refined movement and repeated movements that do not
exceed one card thickness. If the minimum degree of movement of the
elevator exceeds one card thickness, then precise positioning could
not be effected. It is preferred that the degree of control of
movement of the elevator does not exceed at least one-half the card
thickness. In this manner, precise positioning of the cards with
respect to the separating elements 154 can be effected.
Additionally, it is often desirable to standardize, adjust, or
calibrate the position of the elevator (and/or cards on the
elevator) at least once and often at intervals to assure proper
operation of the apparatus 102. In one example of the invention,
the microprocessor 160 calls for recalibration periodically, and
provides the dealer with a warning or calibration instructions on
the display 12.
As later described, a micro stepping motor or other motor capable
of precise and small controlled movements is preferred. The steps
for example may be of such magnitudes that are smaller than the
card thickness, such as for example, individual steps of 0.0082
inches (approximately less than 1 card thickness), 0.0041 inches
(less than 1/2 card thickness), 0.00206 inches (less than about
1/4th card thickness), 0.0010 inches (less than about 1/8.sup.th
card thickness), 0.00050 inches (less than about 1/16.sup.th card
thickness), 0.00025 inches (less than about 1/32.sup.nd card
thickness) 0.000125 inches (less than about 1/64th card thickness),
etc.
Particularly desirable elevator control mechanisms would be servo
systems or stepper motors and geared or treaded drive belts
(essentially more like digital systems). Stepper motors, such as
micro-stepper motors, are commercially available that can provide
or can be readily adjusted to provide incremental movements that
are equal to or less than one card thickness, with whole fractions
of card thicknesses, or with indefinite percentages of card
thicknesses. Exact correspondence between steps and card thickness
is not essential, especially where the steps are quite small
compared to the card thickness. For example, with a card thickness
of about 0.279 mm, the steps may be 0.2 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.08
mm, 0.075 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.01 mm, 0.001 mm or smaller, and
most values there between. It is most desirable to have smaller
values, as some values, such as the 0.17 mm value of a step, can
cause the gripper in the separation element to extend over both a
target position to be separated and the next lower card in the
stack to be gripped, with no intermediate stepping position being
available. This is within the control of the designer once the
fundamentals of the process have been understood according to the
present description of the practice of the invention. As shown in
FIG. 2, a drive belt 164 is attached to two drive rollers 166 which
move the elevator platform 156. The belt 164 is driven by a stepper
motor system 170 which is capable of 0.00129 inch (0.003 mm)
steps.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective of the drive rollers or nip
rollers 142, 144 and 146 of a first example of the invention. These
are not truly sets of nip rollers, but are off-set rollers, so that
rollers 142a and (not shown), 144a and 144b, 146a and 146b are not
precisely linearly oriented. By selecting a nip width that is not
so tight as to press a card from both sides of the card at a single
position, and by selecting offset rollers rather than aligned nip
rollers, fluid movement of the card, reduced damage of the card,
and reduced jamming may be provided. This is a particularly
desirable aspect of a preferred practice of the present invention,
which is shown also in FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 shows a set of off-set rollers 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d and
144e transporting a card 200. The card 200 is shown passing over
rollers 144a and 144d and under rollers 144b, 144c and 144e. As can
be seen, the rollers are not capable of contacting a card to
precisely overlap at a specific point on opposite sides of a
card.
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a gripping
system 204 that may be used in the practice of the invention. The
Figure shows two oppositely spaced support arms 206 and 208 that
support gripping elements 210 and 212, which comprise semi-rigid
gripping pads 214 and 216. These gripping pads 214 and 216 may be
smooth, grooved, covered with high friction material such as rubber
or neoprene, ribbed, straight, sloped or the like to take advantage
of various physical properties and actions. The support arms 206
and 208 are attached to separately moveable positioning arms 218
and 220. These positioning arms are referred to as separately
moveable, in that they are not physically connected, but one tends
to move from left to right while the other moves right to left
(with respect to the view shown in FIG. 5) as the two positioning
arms move in and out (substantially horizontally) to grip or
release the cards. However, preferably they do not move
independently, but should move in concert. It is also desirable
that they are fixed with respect to the vertical. If the
positioning arms moved completely independently (horizontally,
during gripping), with only one moving to attempt to contact the
cards at a time, the first contacting arm could move cards out of
vertical alignment. For this reason, it is preferred that two
opposed gripping arms be used.
Although the arms may not move the contact pads 214 and 216 into
contact with absolute precision, they should contact opposite edges
of the cards at approximately the same time, without moving any
cards more than 5% of the length of a card (if contacted
lengthwise) or 7% of the width (if contacting the cards widthwise).
An example of one mechanism for moving the positioning arms in
concert is by having a drive belt 226 that engages opposite sides
of two connectors 222 and 224 that are attached to positioning arms
220 and 218, respectively. The belt 226 contacts these connectors
222 and 224 on opposite sides, such as contact connector 224 on the
rear side, and contact connector 222 on the front side. As the belt
226 is driven by rotors 228 and 230, with both rotors 228 and 230
turning in direction 232, connector 222 will be moved from
left-to-right, and connector 224 will be moved from right to left.
This will likewise move contact pads 214 and 216 inwardly to grip
cards. The use of such pads is much preferred over the use of
rigid, pointed, spatula elements to separate cards, as these can
damage cards, not only increasing the need for replacement, but
also by marking cards which could reduce security.
Alternative constructions comprise a flat elastic or a rubbery
surface with knobs or nubs that extend upwardly from the surface to
grab cards when pressed into contact with the sides of the cards.
These elements may be permanently affixed to the surfaces of the
pickers or may be individually removable and replaceable. The knobs
and the flat surface may be made of the same or different
materials, and may be made of relatively harder or softer,
relatively rigid or relatively flexible materials according to
design parameters.
The apparatus may also contain additional features such as card
reading sensor(s) such as an optical sensor, neural sensing
network, a video imaging apparatus, bar code reading, etc. to
identify suits and ranks of cards; feed means for feeding cards
sequentially past the sensor; at various points within the
apparatus; storing areas in which the cards are stored in a desired
order or random order; selectively programmable artificial
intelligence coupled to the sensor(s) and to said storing areas to
assemble in said storing areas groups of articles in a desired
order; delivery systems for selectively delivering the individual
articles into the storing areas, and collector areas for collecting
collated or randomized sub-groups of cards.
The sensor(s) may include the ability to identify the presence of
an article in particular areas, the movement or lack of movement in
particular areas, the rank and/or value of a card, reading of cards
to identify spurious or counterfeit cards and detection of marked
cards. This can be suitably effected by providing the sensor with
the capability of identifying one or more physical attributes of an
article. This includes the sensor having the means to identify
indicia on a surface of an article. The desired order may be a
specific order of one or more decks of cards to be sorted into its
original pack order or specific order, or it may be a random order
into which a complete set of articles is delivered from a plurality
of sets of randomly arranged articles. For example, the specific
order may be effected by feeding cards into the card accepting area
with a sensor identifying the suit and rank, and having a
pre-established program to assign cards, based upon their rank and
suit, into particular distributions onto the elevator platform. For
example, a casino may wish to arrange the cards into pack order at
the end of a shift to verify all cards are present, or may want to
deal cards out to each table in a tournament in a specified random
order. The sensing can take place in the card receiving area when
the cards are stationary, or while the cards are in motion.
The suit, rank and position of all cards in the card
accepting/receiving area will then be known, and the program can be
applied to the cards without the use of a random number generator,
but with the microprocessor identifying the required position for
that card of particular suit and rank. The card may also be read
between the off-set rollers or between the last off-set roller and
the platform, although this last system will be relatively slow, as
the information as to the card content will be known at such a late
time that the platform cannot be appropriately moved until the
information is obtained.
For example, the desired order may be a complete pack of randomly
arranged playing cards sorted from holding means which holds
multiple decks, or a plurality of randomly oriented cards forming a
plurality of packs of cards. This may be achieved by identifying
the individual cards by optical readers, scanners or any other
means and then under control of a computer means such as a
micro-processor, placing an identified card into a specific
collector means to ensure delivery of complete decks of cards in
the desired compartment. The random number generator is used to
place individual cards into random positions to ensure random
delivery of one to eight or more decks of cards, depending on the
size of the device.
In one aspect the invention, the apparatus is adapted to provide
one or more shuffled packs of cards, such as one or two decks for
poker games or blackjack. According to another aspect of the
invention, a method of randomizing a smaller or larger group of
cards is accomplished using the device of the present invention.
According to the invention, the method includes the steps of 1)
placing a group of cards to be randomized into a card infeed tray;
2) removing cards individually from the card infeed tray and
delivering the cards into a card collection area, the card
collection area having a moveable lower surface, and a stationary
opening for receiving cards from the infeed tray; 3) elevating the
moveable lower surface to a randomly determined height; 4) grasping
at least one edge of a group of cards in the card collection area
at a point just above the stationary opening; 5) lowering the
moveable lower surface to create an opening in a stack of cards
formed on the lower surface, the opening located just beneath a
lowermost point where the cards are grasped; and 6) inserting a
card removed from the infeed tray into the opening. According to
the method of the present invention, steps 2 through 6 are repeated
until all of the cards originally present in the infeed tray are
processed, forming a randomized group of cards.
As described above, the method and apparatus of the present
invention can be used to randomize groups of cards, as well as sort
cards into a particular desired order. When sensing equipment is
used to detect rank and suit of the cards, the cards can be
arranged in any predetermined order according to the invention. It
is to be understood that numerous variations of the present
invention are contemplated, and the disclosure is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention to the examples described above.
For example, it might be advantageous to tip the card mixing area
150 slightly such that a top portion is further away from the card
receiving area 106 than a bottom portion. This would assist in
aligning the stack vertically in area 150 and would increase the
efficiency and accuracy of the randomization or ordering process.
In one preferred embodiment, the card receiving area 150 is tipped
between 3 and 8 degrees from the vertical.
In another embodiment of the invention, the shuffler is mounted
into the table such that infeed tray or card receiving area 106 is
recessed beneath the top surface of a gaming table, and a lower
horizontal surface 156 of the delivery area or card return area 132
in its upright position is flush with the elevation of the gaming
table surface.
Although the machine can sit on the table top, it is preferably
mounted on a bracket having a support surface located beneath the
gaming table surface, and is completely surrounded by the table
top, enabling a dealer to obtain and return cards without undue
lifting above the surface of the gaming table. In one embodiment,
the entire shuffler is mounted into the gaming table such that the
infeed tray and card return areas are either flush or approximately
flush with the gaming table surface. Such an arrangement would be
particularly suited for use in conventional poker rooms.
In a second example of the invention, the device is configured to
process larger groups of cards, such as a stack of eight complete
decks. The individual components operate in much the same manner,
but the specific configuration is designed to accommodate the
greater height of the stack.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another apparatus 500 according
to the invention. That apparatus 500 is shown with a flip-up cover
502 with sections 504 and 506 that overlay the elevator platform
512 and the card insertion area 510. An extension or tab 507 is
provided to nest into open area 508 to assist lifting of the
flip-up cover 502 when needed. The open area 508 leaves some
additional space for a finger or tool to be inserted against the
extension 507 to assist in its lifting. That additional space may
be designed to accommodate only a tool so as to reduce any
possibility of a player opening of the shuffling apparatus 500. In
a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an arm
extension 514 of the elevator that contacts an internal edge 513 of
the flip-up cover 502, here with a roller 515 shown as the contact
element, to lift the cover 502 when the elevator platform 512 rises
to a level where cards are to be removed, the extension 514 forces
the cover 502 to lift from the top 517 of the apparatus 500. The
extension 514 also will buffer playing cards from moving as they
are lifted from the elevator platform 512, although additional
elements (not shown) may be used to restrain movement of the cards
when elevated to a removal level. In this example of the invention,
side panels are not used to stabilize the stack of delivered
cards.
FIG. 6 also shows a display panel 516, which may be any format of
visual display, particularly those such as LED panels, liquid
crystal panels, CRT displays, plasma displays, digital or analog
displays, dot-matrix displays, multi-segment displays, fixed panel
multiple-light displays, or the like, to provide information to a
viewer (e.g., dealer, casino personnel, etc.). The display panel
516 may show any information useful to users of the apparatus, and
show such information in sufficient detail as to enable transfer of
significant amounts of information. Such information might include,
by way of non-limiting examples, the number of cards present in the
apparatus, the status of any shuffling or dealing operations (e.g.,
the number of complete shuffling cycles, hand information (such as
the number of hands to be dealt, the number of hands that have been
dealt, the number of cards in each hand, the position to which a
hand has been dealt, etc.), security information (e.g., card jam
identification, location of card jams, location of stuck cards,
excess cards in the container, insufficient cards in the container,
unauthorized entry into the apparatus, etc.), confirmation
information (e.g., indicating that the apparatus is properly
corresponding to an information receiving facility such as a
network or microprocessor at a distal or proximal location), on-off
status, self-check status, and any other information about play or
the operation of the apparatus that would be useful. It is
preferred that the display and the software driving the display be
capable of graphics display, not merely alphanumeric.
Buttons 518 and 520 can be on-off buttons, or special function
buttons (e.g., raise elevator to the card delivery position,
operate jam sequence, reshuffle demand, security check, card count
demand, etc.) and the like. A sensor 524 (e.g., optical sensor,
pressure sensor, magnetic detector, sonar detector, etc.) is shown
on the elevator platform 512 to detect the presence of cards or
other objects on the elevator platform 512.
FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of an apparatus 600 according to an
aspect of the invention, which may be compared with FIG. 2 to
provide an explanation of components and some of the variations
possible within the practice of the invention. For example, the use
of two belt drive motors 662 and 664 versus the three shown in FIG.
2 allows for the apparatus 600 to be shortened, with motor 662
driving a belt 666 that moves three rollers 668, 669 and 670. The
roller pair 144 is removed from this example of the invention as
superfluous. The drive roller 166 in FIG. 2 that raises the
elevator 156 is partially eliminated by having the elevator drive
belt 672 driven by the motor 674 and the attached spindle 676,
which have been positioned in direct alignment with the drive belt
672 in FIG. 5, instead of the right angle, double belt connection
shown in FIG. 2. Again, as the belt 672 moves far enough to display
cards (not shown) on the elevator platform 612, the extension 614
presses against the edge 613 of the cover section 604, elevating
the cover top 602. The apparatus 600 is actually preferably
configured with the sections 604 and 606 separated along area 680
so that they move independently. By separating these sections 604
and 606, only the cards readied for delivery are exposed, and
access to the area 682 where unshuffled cards are to be inserted is
more restricted, especially where, as noted above, a tool or
implement is needed to raise the cover section corresponding to 606
so that the unshuffled cards may not be too readily accessed.
In FIG. 7, the motors 662, 664 and 674 are preferably highly
controlled in the degree of their movement. For example, one of the
methods of providing precise control on motor movement is with
micro stepped motors. Such micro stepping of motors controls the
precise amount of movement caused by the motor. This is especially
important in motor 674 that drives the elevator platform 612 that
in turn carries the cards (not shown) to be separated for random
card insertion. With micro stepping, the movement of the cards can
be readily controlled to less than a card thickness per micro step.
With such control, with no more than 0.9 card thickness movement,
preferably less than 0.8 card thickness movement, less than 0.5
card thickness movement, less than 0.4 card thickness movement,
less than 1/3 card thickness movement, less than 0.25 card
thickness movement, less than 0.20 card thickness movement, and
even less than 0.05 card thickness movement per micro step, much
greater assurance of exact positioning of the elevator platform 612
and the cards thereon can be provided, further assuring that cards
will be inserted exactly where requested by operation of the
microprocessor. Sensing elements 684 may be positioned within the
picker or grabbing element 686 to analyze the position of the
picker with respect to cards being separated to determine if cards
have been properly aligned with the picker 686 and properly
separated. The elements 686 may alternatively be physically
protruding sub-elements that grab small areas of cards, such as
rubber or elastomeric bumps, plastic bumps, metal nubs, or the
like. Sensors may alternatively be placed on other surfaces
adjacent the picker 686, such as walls 688 or 690 or other adjacent
walls or elements. For increased security and enhanced performance,
it is preferred that multiple sensors be used, preferably multiple
sensors that are spaced apart with regard to edges of the cards,
and multiple sensors (i.e., at least two sensors) that are
positioned so that not only the height can be sensed, but also
misalignment or sloping, or bending of cards at different locations
or positions. The sensors can work independently of or in tandem
with the microprocessor/step motor/encoder operation.
The micro step motors will also assist the apparatus in internal
checks for the correct position. For example, an encoder can be
used to check the exact position of the elevator with regard to the
measured movement and calculation of the precise movement of the
elevator platform and hence the cards. The encoder can evaluate the
position of the elevator platform through analysis and evaluation
of information regarding, for example, the number of
pulses/revolution of the spindle 676 on the motor 674, which may be
greater than 100 pulses/revolution, greater than 250
pulses/revolution, greater than 360 pulses/revolution, greater than
500 or greater than 750 pulses/revolution, and in preferred
embodiments, greater than 1000 pulses/revolution, greater than 1200
pulses per revolution, and equal to or greater than 1440
pulses/revolution. In operation, the microprocessor moves the
motor, the encoder counts the amount of movement driven by the
motor, and then determines the actual position of the elevator
platform or a space (e.g., four cards higher) relative to the
elevator platform. The sensors may or may not be used to determine
the correct position, initially calibrate movement and sensing
positions on the platform, or as a security check
An additional design improvement with respect to the apparatus of
FIG. 1 and that of FIGS. 6 and 7 is the elimination of a staging
area in the apparatus design of FIG. 1. After a card (not shown) in
FIG. 1 passes from rollers 140 to rollers 144, but before being
passed to rollers 146, the card would be held or staged by rollers
144. This can be eliminated by the design of rollers shown in FIGS.
6 and 7, with the movement of the cards timed to the movement of
the elevator platform and the separation of the cards by the
pickers.
The apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 6 is also provided with an outer
flange 528 extending around an upper edge of the top surface that
may be used to attach and support the apparatus 500 to a table or
support the apparatus 500 so that the surface 517 if relatively
parallel to the surface of the table or surface.
The use of a shuffler whose shuffling mechanism is concealed
completely beneath the gaming table surface potentially poses
security issues to a casino. In the event of a system malfunction,
the dealer might not be aware that a shuffling sequence has failed.
Since there is no way to visualize the shuffling routine, and in
order to avoid instances where the display lights may malfunction
and erroneously show a shuffling sequence has been completed, an
added level of security has been provided to the shuffler of the
present invention.
According to the present invention, a number of cards to be
randomized and the order of insertion of each card into the card
randomizing or shuffling compartment is predetermined by the random
number generator and microprocessor. By adding an encoder to the
motor or motors driving the elevator, and by sensing the presence
of groups of suspended cards, the microprocessor can compare the
data representing the commands and the resulting movements to
verify a shuffle has occurred. In the absence of this verification,
the shuffler can send a signal to the display to indicate a
misdeal, to a central pit computer to notify management of the
misdeal, to a game table computer, if any with an output display to
notify the dealer of a misdeal, to a central computer that notifies
security, to a central system for initiating maintenance calls or
combinations of the above.
Such a system is referred to as a "closed loop" system because the
microprocessor creates the commands and then receives system
signals verifying that the commands were properly executed.
Although the dealer control panel and display in the above examples
of the present invention are located on the card shuffler, the
present invention contemplates user-operated remote controls, such
as a foot pedal, an infra-red remote control, the input of commands
from a remote keyboard in the pit or other device initiated by a
dealer or by management. Unlike the shuffler operation driven by
software from a game computer, pit computer or central computer
system, the shuffler of the present invention is controllable by an
operator using remote equipment such as what is described
above.
Although the randomizing system has been described as a vertically
disposed stack of cards with a means for gripping a portion of the
cards, and lowering the remaining cards to form two separate
subgroups, forming an insertion point, the invention contemplates
the use of a shuffler with a carousel-type card collection area.
The gripping pads in this example of the invention grip a portion
of cards that are horizontally disposed, and the card collection
area rotated to create an insertion point for the next card. The
cards are pushed out one at a time, or in groups to a card
collection area.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a perspective view of another embodiment
of a shuffling machine 600 of the present invention is shown
mounted to a shuffler support plate 602 behind a gaming table (not
shown) that may or may not be modified to accommodate placement of
the support plate 602.
In this example of the invention, cards are loaded into an infeed
tray 606. In one example of the invention (not shown), the lower
surface of the infeed tray is substantially horizontal and is
provided so that cards can be loaded into the top 608 of the
shuffler, and then lowered beneath the gaming table surface for
randomization.
The infeed elevator may be equipped with a card support structure
similar to the support structure surrounding delivery tray 612,
which in a preferred embodiment has two vertical supports and two
sides are left open. Cards may be loaded into the infeed tray 606
and into a card support structure (not shown), and lowered
automatically, in response to the dealer pushing downwardly on the
top of the stack of cards or upon a signal received from the dealer
controls (not shown).
In this example of the invention, the loading station is positioned
near the playing surface (for example, a casino table) and at the
dealer's side, allowing the machine to be used without unnecessary
strain or unusual needed physical movement on the part of the
dealer. Loading and unloading large stacks of cards from the top of
a machine that is mounted to eliminate lifting, straining or
reaching large distances addresses a need long felt in the industry
for a more ergonomically friendly card shuffler.
The output tray elevator in the second described embodiment also
includes a two-sided vertical structure 612 for supporting a group
of randomized cards as the cards are raised to the top surface 608
of the shuffler. It is to be understood that the vertical support
structures are preferably secured to the elevator platforms, but
could also be secured to the frame, and attached in a manner to pop
up into position when needed.
A method of handling cards is described, including inserting the
cards into a card infeed tray, feeding the cards into a card
randomization apparatus, capturing the randomized cards in a
support structure and raising the cards and support structure to an
upper surface of the shuffler. The method may comprise providing a
retractable support structure for extracting shuffled cards,
inserting shuffled cards into the support structure while it is
below the top surface of the device and moving the support
structure to expose the cards and retracting the support structure
both before and after card removal. The card infeed tray may also
be positioned on an elevator capable of lowering the group of cards
into the apparatus prior to shuffling. When a second elevator is
used, it is preferable to provide a retractable support structure
for supporting the cards as the cards are lowered for
shuffling.
The method preferably includes providing two separate support
structures that support a vertically stacked group of cards on at
least two surfaces, and preferably three. The support structure can
be a solid three-sided box, could consist of three vertically
disposed bars, two parallel plates and two angle irons to retain
corners or any other structure that keeps the stack in vertical
alignment, or other suitable support structure. The structure can
be fixed to the upper surface of the shuffler, can be fixed to the
elevators or can be affixed to the frame of the shuffler and
constructed to "pop up" when needed for card loading and unloading.
Cover plates, such as hinged or rotating plates, can be provided
over the two elevators to provide additional cover (e.g., dust
cover and visual cover) over the card source and the card
collection areas to assure that visual inspection of the shuffling
procedure can be reduced, and entry of foreign materials can be
reduced. The cover plates should be light enough for the system to
automatically lift the covers or for a dealer to easily lift the
covers manually. The cards themselves may push up the cover plates,
or a preceding post or element can be positioned on the elevator or
supports attached or moving conjointly with the elevators to press
against the interior surface of the cover plates to lift the plates
in advance of contact with the cards.
All of the apparatus, devices and methods disclosed and claimed
herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in
light of the present disclosure. While the apparatus, devices and
methods of this invention have been described in terms of both
generic descriptions and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that variations may be applied to the
apparatus, devices and methods described herein without departing
from the concept and scope of the invention. More specifically, it
will be apparent that certain elements, components, steps, and
sequences that are functionally related to the preferred
embodiments may be substituted for the elements, components, steps;
and sequences described and/or claimed herein while the same of
similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutions
and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed
to be within the scope and concept of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
Although a description of preferred embodiments has been presented,
various changes including those mentioned above could be made
without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. It is
desired, therefore, that reference be made to the appended claims
rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of
the invention.
* * * * *